Secret societies decoded: Everything you wanted to know about the Illuminati but were too afraid to ask

Are secret societies real or are they fake? Is there something that the entertainment world made up? We've got the answers to your questions.

by Aaliya Bilal

July 27, 2018

Posted July 27, 2018

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Secret societies have started becoming a topic of interest to many in today's day and age. A lot of us are also caught up in the curiosity of it all: is the Illuminati real? Or is it all a fable?

Many people advise against diving into the world of secret societies, while others just brush it off as something that was made up, an urban legend, if you will (Pixabay)

Conspiracy theorists are all for the debunking these secret societies. But diving into the nitty-gritty can prove to be some dangerous business. Many people advise against diving into the world of secret societies, while others just brush it off as something that was made up; an urban legend, if you will.

Is there something that the entertainment world made up, or are there really a group of elitists that are ruling our world? (Pixabay)

So are secret societies real or are they fake? Is there something that the entertainment world made up, or are there really a group of elitists that are ruling our world? Let's explore some of the questions that you've always wanted to ask about secret societies.

What exactly is a secret society?

They propagate certain ideals. They are very selective about the kind of people that they give membership to (Pixabay)

A secret society is an exclusive group that claims to be privy to special secrets or 'knowledge' about things that are normally not accessible by the general public. Secret societies are very exclusive to a certain 'type' of people or someone who can propagate certain ideals. They are very selective about the kind of people that they give membership to.

Secret societies have specific ideas that they want to propagate (Pixabay)

Secret societies have specific ideas that they want to propagate. They have a very specifically progressive method of teaching, which gradually lead to unique as well as hidden truths. Experts believe that many secret societies thrive on the belief that their 'truths' brings a personal benefit that can't be reached be understood by 'uninitiated' members of the group.

How many are there?

While the number of secret societies remains, well, a secret, there are a few out there are relatively well-known (Pixabay)

While the number of secret societies remains, well, a secret, there are a few out there are relatively well-known. In the college circuit, the most well-known secret society is the Skull and Bones society at Yale University. Another really famous college-based secret society is The Pitt Club at Cambridge University.

This was especially the case at the college-level secret societies (Pixabay)

Secret societies were initially created as a means of sharing forbidden knowledge. This was especially the case at the college-level secret societies. Many colleges have banned secret societies as they could lead to the radicalization of a group of people. Secret societies soon reared their heads at a more politicized agenda, which also put them on a 'banned' list in most countries.

What is the Illuminati?

The Illuminati was first created as a big rebellion against archaic thoughts that didn't contribute to the progress of the world (Pixabay)

The Illuminati was first created as a big rebellion against archaic thoughts that didn't contribute to the progress of the world. It was originally recognized as the Bavarian Illuminati, which operated between 1776 to 1785. The Illuminati was formed by Adam Weishaupt, a German law professor who believed in Enlightenment ideas. He hoped to educate members in philanthropy, reason, and other secular values that could potentially influence political decisions as well when the group eventually came to power.

Do they control the world?

They soon died out and they never really managed to 'take over' the world (Pixabay)

Something that a lot of us believe is that the Illuminati and other secret societies ran the world once upon a time. Though many experts would like to believe that they did only mildly successful in their endeavors, they soon died out and they never really managed to take over the world.

People believe that they recruit some of the most influential people to maintain the power balance (Pixabay)

But then some experts believe that the secret society is still in full swing, and only operates in a top-secret, almost symbolic, manner. People believe that they recruit some of the most influential people to maintain the power balance. A popular belief is that the Illuminati recruited German author and statesman Johann Goethe to be a member of their secret group. It is said that the group's beliefs spread to other revolutionary groups such as the French Revolution's Jacobins.

What does the Illuminati believe in?

The secret society's main goals were to oppose archaic thoughts of superstition, the abuses of state power over the people as well as religious influences over public life (Pixabay)

When it was first formed, the secret society's main goals were to oppose archaic thoughts of superstition, the abuses of state power over the people as well as religious influences over public life. They also believed in the 'enlightenment' of the public, rational thought, self-rule, and the right to question authority.

Because of these outlandish beliefs, members of the Illuminati can do some bizarre things (Pexels)

Because of these outlandish beliefs, members of the Illuminati can do some bizarre things. The rules and regulations lead them to keep their identities under wraps, implicate spy-like protocols to avoid being found, and they even went as far as to use pseudonyms for the members.

What are some significant symbols they used?

Because of their secrecy, a lot of secret societies used symbols and logos to represent their secret groups (Pexels)

Because of their secrecy, a lot of secret societies used symbols and logos to represent their secret groups. The Freemasons had the Masonic Square and Compasses. The Illuminati used the owl of Minerva perched on a book as a symbol of thirst for knowledge. The emblem of Skull and Bones is its namesake.

How come they're still relevant?

A few people still cling on to the idea that the Illuminati exists today as well (Pixabay)

Well, the truth is that the Illuminati and other similar secret societies were promptly banned by a lot of countries and ruling governments. But a few people still cling on to the idea that the Illuminati exists today as well. The secret group has been a staple in recent fictional work, also. One very well-known mentioning of the Illuminati comes in Dan Brown's novel 'Angels and Demons'.

But the biggest conspiracy is that the rich and famous are a part of the secret group that is planning to take over the world (Pexels)

It's a fairly popular belief that the Illuminati is filled with some of the world's most influential people. This can include politicians, businessfolk, world leaders, and even in some cases, royalty. But the biggest conspiracy is that the rich and famous are a part of the secret group that is planning to take over the world.

Some conspiracy theorists believe that Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Kanye West could be a part of the Illuminati given their huge popularity. Sites like The Vigilant Citizen keep track of Masonic symbols in pop culture. Though these whispers can be heard everywhere, there is no confirmation on whether this is the truth or not.

Check out this really cool video explaining to you what the Illuminati is:

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